It’s a first for Gathurst’s Metcalfe

TOM Metcalfe is the second aspiring professional in PGA North to chalk up a maiden victory this month.

The 24-year-old from Wigan club Gathurst followed in the spikemarks of Dean Wood’s Robert Henderson, who made his breakthrough at Lancaster two weeks ago.

Metcalfe has registered a few top five finishes in his burgeoning career so it was no surprise when he posted a bogey-free three-under-par 68 at Carlisle, prevailing by a stroke in the PGA North Assistants’ Championship NE/NW.

His racked up birdies on the fifth, ninth and 11th holes and felt he should have had more.

“I struck the ball solidly but missed some fairly easy putts,” he reflected. “But it was the first time I’d seen the course and it was a pleasure to play it.”

Penrith assistant Tim Dykes and Oliver Smith, from Ashton-on-Mersey, tied second a shot off the pace.